Coat and hat checking apparatus



Dec. 26, 1961 B. H. RlSELY ETAL 3,014,593

COAT AND HAT CHECKING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1961 INVENTORS.

J. E. CARR B.HRISELY United States Patent I 3,014,593 COAT AND HAT CHECKING APPARATU Bruce H. Risely and Joseph E. Carr, both of 1251 33rd Ave., San Francisco, Calif. Filed Apr. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 100,385 6 Claims. (Cl. 211-4) This invention relates to coat and hat checking apparatus and more particularly to a coat checking device for use in public places.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a coat checking device which will prevent theft and the misplacing of garments left in public places for temporary storage purposes.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a coat and hat checking device which will enable each coat to be individually checked and locked in place so that removal thereof cannot be accomplished without having a key especially fitting the particular section upon which the coat is mounted.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a coat and hat checking apparatus bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum'number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and eflicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the folowing detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a coat checking device made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing a slightly modified form of construction; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an auxiliary locker device forming still another part of the present invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, a coat checking apparatus 10 made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a base 12 and end supports 14 which support a plurality of individual coat checking units 15 in juxtaposed relationship spaced above the base 12.

As is clearly shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, each such coat checking unit 15 includes a downwardly opening hood 16 having an upwardly extending housing section 18 into which a lock pawl 20 of a key operated lock 22 projects. This pawl 20 is preferably spring biased inwardly into contact with a ratchet 32 formed upon an extension 26 of a coat hanger bar 30 which is pivotally connected thereto, such as by a hinge pin 38. However, a key 24 receivable within the lock 22 may be turned to withdraw the pawl 20 out of locking engagement with the ratchet teeth 32 to enable the hanger extension 26 to be withdrawn downwardly and outwardly through the bottom of the hood 16. After the garment has been placed upon the hanger bar 30, the extension 26 is returned into the interior of the housing 18 so that the pawl 20 will lock the extension 26 in place with the upper portions of the garment pressed against the interior of the hood 16. In this'position, it is virtually impossible to remove the garment without first releasing the lock 22 by means of a key 24, thus preventing accidental loss or theft thereof.

In FIGURE 3 of the drawing, a slightly modified form 3,014,593 Patented Dec. 26, 19 61 of construction for each coat storage unit 15' is shown to include a similar hood 16 withan enlarged upwardly projecting housing 18, into which a pawl 20 of a lock 22 operated by a key 24 extends in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described. However, the extension 26' of the hanger 30 is provided with a stop 27 at its free end,.

which will prevent withdrawal of the extension 26' outwardly of the housing 18'. However, the hanger 30' is pivotal with respect to the pivot pin 28' connecting it to the extension 26', which will allow sufiicient movement to apply and remove the garment. The hanger portion 30' is also provided with a handle 34 to facilitate the up and down movements of the hanger assembly during use. With this arrangement, it is not possible to confuse the hangers or to remove the same from the checking apparatus.

With reference to FIGURE 4 of the drawing, an auxiliary locker compartment 40 is shown to include a substantially hollow prismatic enclosure 42 having a front closure panel 44 hingedly mounted thereupon by means of a set of hinges 46 for selective movement between a normally closed storage position and an open position for storing small articles, such as hats 50. A lock 48 is mounted upon the closure 44 for securing the closure in the closed position during use. l

It will also be recognized that-the coat checking unit may be in circular form or may be constructed especially for closets and the like, depending upon the particular need or application for which it is to be used.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, such as making the device a coin operated mechanism for use in public places.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A coat rack comprising, in combination, a plurality of individual coat storage units secured together into a single storage assembly, each said coat storage unit comprising a hood, a coat hanger with an extension. portion and movable relative to said hood between a release and an engaged position, latch means releasably securing said coat hanger with said hood in said engaged position, and lock means controlling release of said latch means to effect movement of said hanger to said release position.v 2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said said coat hanger having a portion slidably movable within said housing, said latch means being carried by said housing and being releasably engageable with said extension portion of said coat hanger.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said coat hanger comprises a substantially horizontal garment support bar pivotally mounted upon said hanger extension for movement relative to said hood.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said latch means comprises a pawl carried by said extension housing of said hood and projecting into the interior of said extension housing, said extension of said coat hanger having a plurality of ratchet teeth engageable with said pawl to prevent outward movement of said hanger extension relative to said hood and said housing.

5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein said lock means comprises a tumbler lock carried by said extension housing of said hood for withdrawing said pawl References Cited in the file of this patent from locking engagement with said ratchet teeth to facili- UNITED STATES PATENTS tate movement of said hanger to said release position from said engaged position within said hood.

6. The combination according to claim 5, further com- 5 1 Egg? prising an auxiliary locker enclosure having an interior 1373112 Backus 1921 storage compartment and hingedly mounted closure wall 2655424 Otonno'f 1953 for selective movement toward a closed position, and a lock carried by said closure for securing said closure in a closed position with said enclosure. 10 

